INTERNEWS AFRICA

  NAIROBI, August 31, 2026 — The Ministry of Health today marked African Traditional Medicine Day with a clear directive to transition indigenous healthcare remedies from informal community use into a scientifically validated, regulated, and economically viable sector within Kenya's mainstream health system. Speaking during the national commemoration events, Cabinet Secretary for Health Hon. Aden Duale underscored that while traditional medicine remains deeply rooted in Kenya’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and local communities, widespread adoption alone cannot substitute for rigorous clinical evaluation. CS Duale: Finalizing Policy and Safeguarding Indigenous IP Addressing delegates, research institutions, and healthcare stakeholders, CS Duale announced that the government is at an advanced stage of finalizing a comprehensive policy framework designed to govern the evaluation, regulation, and promotion of traditional medicine. "Our duty is to preserve what is va...

                                               Samson Kanai,Safaricom's Sustainability Manager at the conference today. NAIROBI, KENYA — Key industry executives, market regulators, and financial experts convened at the Kenya ESG & Sustainable Finance Forum to address the region’s shifting economic landscape and discuss strategies for driving responsible business, sustainable investment, and climate resilience across East Africa. The high-level gathering comes at a critical time as businesses face growing pressure from both local regulators and global institutional investors to integrate clear Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics into their core operations. With climate-related disruptions threatening supply chains and agricultural output, regional leaders highlighted that sustainable practices are no longer optional, ...

                                       KENYAN BUILT ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATIONS REJECT PROPOSED 2026 REGULATORY BILL OVER GOVERNANCE CONCERNS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST NAIROBI, KENYA — In a unified stance issued on August 24, 2026, leading organizations within Kenya's built environment—specifically the Interior Designers Association of Kenya, the Association of Construction Managers of Kenya, and The Architects Alliance—officially rejected the Architectural and Quantity Surveying Practitioners Bill, 2026 in its current draft. The joint coalition clarified that its opposition does not stem from a resistance to oversight, but rather from a demand for effective, well-structured, and equitable regulation that reflects the evolving complexities of the modern construction sector. The core of the dispute centers on the bill's organizational framework. Although nominally titled around...

  NAIROBI — August 18, 2026 — Former Chief Justice and United Green Movement (UGM) party leader David Maraga has intensified consultations with key political figures across the country, affirming that broad-based negotiations aimed at establishing a unified opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 General Election are moving forward. Addressing UGM party delegates in Voi, Taita Taveta County, Maraga stated that cross-party engagements have gathered structural momentum as opposition factions seek to construct a cohesive platform grounded in constitutionalism, economic recovery, and anti-corruption measures. "Consultations with like-minded leaders to form a singular, accountable front for the upcoming election are progressing steadily," Maraga told delegates during the political consultative session. "Our focus remains on restoring institutional integrity, fiscal sanity, and strict adherence to the rule of law." The retired Chief Justice’s remarks follow a series ...

 Nairobi, Kenya — August 3, 2026 Health Union Caucus Issues Final Ultimatum Over UHC Staff Absorption and CBA Delays The Health Union Caucus —representing the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), the Kenya National Union of Nurses (KNUN), and the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO)—addressed the media in a joint press briefing held today at 12:00 PM. Speaking live across national broadcast networks, including Digital Citizen, Citizen TV, and official union YouTube channels, union leadership expressed deep frustration over unresolved systemic grievances affecting healthcare workers across all 47 counties. Core Resolutions & Demands Issued Today Immediate Absorption of UHC & Global Fund Workers The Caucus demanded that the Ministry of Health and county governments immediately issue permanent and pensionable appointment letters to over 7,400 Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Global Fund contract staff. Despite KSh 8.6+ billion factored int...

  NAIROBI, KENYA — July 29, 2026 — The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), an institution of the East African Community (EAC), has officially convened its 17th Annual Meeting and Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Bringing together Vice-Chancellors, higher education policymakers, regional partners, industry leaders, and student representatives across EAC Partner States, the three-day flagship event focuses on driving transformation, digital readiness, and policy alignment across the regional higher education landscape. Under the overarching agenda of advancing the East African Common Higher Education Area (CHEA) , this year’s convening addresses critical regional challenges, including skills mismatches in the labor market, digital transformation, research commercialization, and harmonized quality assurance frameworks. Key Highlights & Discussions Harmonization and Student Mobility: Delegates evaluated regional progress in credit transfer systems and qualification...

Members of Parliament Health Committee pose for a photo with KEMRI Executive Members NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting budgetary allocations and legislative backing for the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), aiming to accelerate local health innovations and reduce the nation's reliance on foreign donor funding, speaking on Wednesday during a high-level consultative engagement between KEMRI’s executive leadership, Board of Directors, and members of the Parliamentary Health Group at the Institute’s headquarters in Nairobi. The strategic meeting focused on aligning KEMRI’s research priorities with national health objectives, particularly supporting Universal Health Coverage (UHC), expanding internal research grants, advancing local manufacturing of diagnostic tools and therapeutics, and finalizing key legislative reforms to secure sustainable healthcare solutions for the country. During the session...